The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1887-01-22
The Elixir Of Youth.

upon the wide and deep skylight of
a house in street, however,
they would have seen that bright
lights burnt within. and that its &C.
cupant was very wide awake indeed.
;, In the center of the room was a
furnace, on which coldron Boiled
and dubbed. Over this bent man
dressed in gown and cap, which
became him well, for he was both
young aud handsome.
The steam from the caldron. and
the perfumed smoke from the burn
ing wood, wrapped him in sort OF
cloud, from which he now and then
emerged 10 turn the pages of one OF
the black books, and again returned
to the caldron.
sis this hope of mine mere delu
sion?" he asked himself aloud, as
strange golden bubbles burst or the
red liquid in the caldron; "were my
grandfather's last words the rawlings
of delirium, or is there really pan
acea for old age? This is what my
grandfather said it would be-a Grim
son LIQUID * i Is ldEeasing into bubbles. and
with a perfume unknown to herb or
flower, but sweet as that of the hon.
eysuckle.
"Oh, Heaven, what boom it
would be to earth's suffering dweller,
who have before them old age and
death! Fadeless youth and beauty,
and long years in which to enjoy
them |"
Suddenly he paused. A figure
stood beside him, strange. shadowy,
and beautiful. 1t lifted its hand and
pointed to the caldron.
"Theodore. why did you call me ?'
asked he. "What do you want of
me?"
"Haye 1 called your" asked the
young man. "Who are you ?"
81 am your guardian spirit" said
the figure. II knew you to be in
danger. / have come to save you"
"From what 7" asked Theodore.
"From completing your task" said
the spirit. I'm five minutes the elk
ir of life will be ready to take. If
YOU drink of it, you will remain
young forever. You may even live
perpetually."
"What Joy !" cried the young
man.
"What horror" sighed the spirit.
"Listen. You can drink but only
you. And with the draught, the
memory of what you have done will
vanish. There will be one goblet
fill to the brim-no more. Then the
writing in that old book will fade,
the eaidron will part In twain. the
magic fire go out. You will lemain
here young and beautiful for ever,
and time will be as nothing to you,
while all around you grow old and
die"
Can 1 not give some of the elixir
to my friends ?" cried Theodore. "To
my wife, at least ?"
The spirit shook its head.
mo" said he; "yOu must see her
grow old and die while you are still
a youth. Children will come to you.
You will live to watch them old men.
toothless and feeble, tOttering to their
graves. You little grandchildren will
visit the earth, and share the fate of
mortals. You will be young. hand
some and healthy; but all your af-
fections will be like dreams. You
will arise in the morning to find a
generation passed away. The world
and its custom will change. You
will see fair lands warmed by sum
mer suns changed to fields of ice.
You will know other animals than
now exist. You will see the rise and
fall of nations, and amidst them
stand youth of the nineteenth con,
fury, admired-loyed. perhaps-but
loving none. They will depart too
rapidly with flying ages"
"Then my grandfather was right
have actually made an elixir of
youth"
"You have" said the spirit.
Itappears to me that it would be
delightful" said Theodore. "After
all. will not cause anyone to grow
older by remaining young. See how
the liquid sparkles I"
at is done." said the spirit. "What
you have brewed you may drink.
Put out the fire and fill the silver
goblet there, and let it cool; then
drink, if you will; but all will be as
l say"
He faded away. A rap came at
the door. Theodore opened it. His
wife stood there smiling at him.
II could not sleep, my dear" said
che nCtronUo fannipa trOuhIaH mo